The main event going on this weekend for may is the parade in celebration of St Patrick’s Day. This might make visitors for the NCAA smile, or perhaps frown. Regardless where you stand on the Greenville parade the time to don your green apparel is upon us. Beannachtai na Feile Padraig!

Today we have assembled some fun activities that involve a parade, and a few others to distract you this weekend.

The day begins with the 24th version of the Dash Down Greenville 5k that begins at 8am and benefits the North Texas Food Bank. In case you are in need of a run before all that green beer check out their website.

The 38th Annual Dallas St. Patrick’s Day Parade itself begins at 11 a.m. at Greenville and Blackwell Street. The parade itself consists of nearly 100 floats, 2,000 participants and 125,000 spectators. The route snakes a solid two miles and along the way there are a few stations to enjoy including:

The Dallas Mavericks will once again have an indelible parade presence with two floats, the Mavs Express bus, Mavs Dancers, Mascots and ManiAACs. The Mavs Corner will be located atthe CVS corner of Lovers Lane and Greenville and will showcase food trucks, exhibitors, a Mavs Retail Shop and Mavericks’ entertainers.

Brew Fest will be located in the same adjacent Office Depot parking lot as last year. Presenting sponsor Peticolas will be pouring select products on tap; entrance to Brew Fest is free and will also feature food trucks, exhibitors and a DJ Station.

Once the parade dispurses the party moves further down Greenville Avenue. The Sundown at the Granada will have their party on with three stages jamming while a mile further south on Greenville, between Vanderbilt and Vickery, enjoy a not-family-friendly $12 block party with live music and beer. The “official” parade after-party is at The Skellig on Henderson replete with bagpipers, dancers and a U2 cover band, all beginning at 3pm.

All bars and restaurants will be in full parade mode with limited menus and drink specials. A few we like to hit include The Truck Yard (oh, it will be slammed rain or shine), Ragin’ Crab (the crawfish there are the largest in the city at the moment and will feature a DJ for added fun), and 504 Bar and Grill will have a band with plenty of swag and brews.

Get Your Irish Up

Trinity Hall Irish Pub at Mockingbird Station opens at 7am and will be a continuous party until 2am. Look for rugby at 9:45am and bands through the night. Greta Irish breakfast pre-parade style.

The O’s play at 4pm and the Whiskey Folk Ramblers at 9pm at The Old Monk where it is St Pats every day.

In Uptown, Blackfriar Pub and its St. Patrick’s Day Block Party will be in full swing and regalia.

However you celebrate, stay safe and enjoy. Uber and Lyft are fantastic choices along with the DART light rail. If you really want to get into the spirit choose to ride a LimeBike.